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The Saskatchewan Dragoons are holding a training exercise in and around Moose Jaw this Saturday, November 2, and they hope to see plenty of engagement with the public.
“Normally, we would go to our training area outside Moose Jaw, or we might go up to Dundurn to the training area there. But for this exercise, we decided to get ourselves more into the public eye,” explained Major Paul Park, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan Dragoons. “We’ve picked several locations around town where we can practice some of our cavalry drills.
“Anyone who happens to see us, walks by a training event, they’re encouraged to come up and ask questions and take pictures. The message is, don’t be shy, talk to the soldiers, we’re open and willing to answer and explain. We can do little tours of our equipment if they’d like, show they what it is and what it’s for.”
Headquartered in Moose Jaw, the Dragoons are a Primary Reserve Force organized as an Independent Armoured Squadron. Their primary role in combat is armoured reconnaissance — they are typically the first unit to contact the enemy, and relay information back to the main body while preventing the enemy from doing the same. In withdrawal, ‘recce’ squadrons screen the main body, preventing them from being harassed as they pull back.
The unit will be practicing armoured recce skills like hiding their vehicles and establishing safe positions; rolling replenishment resupply procedures; threat/hazard awareness and recognition; and dismounted patrols.
They will be in the Wakamow Valley Park from 0800-1000 hours, at the Western Development Museum from 1000 to 1200 hours, on Maple Street from 1200 to 1500 hours, and on the flats next to the Yara Centre from 1500 to 1600 hours.
There won’t be any massed troop movements, but Park said they expect to be using their converted G-Wagon patrol vehicles, Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) side-by-sides, and hopefully the big Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) that is always popular at the Sidewalk Days summer festival.
“We’re a small unit in a small town, so there will be anywhere from 20 to 30 soldiers training this weekend,” Major Park explained. “Sometimes our reservists have other jobs and they’re not available, so we can never really pin down an exact number.
“If we were in a training area, we would practice attacks or being on the defensive, or we’d practice an ambush. But for this, we decided we would do some of those softer skills, we call them. We have to practice, for example, how to hide our vehicles. If we’re out on a mission, we need to be able to find a spot where we can hide and resupply and eat and rest.”
The Dragoons are always recruiting. Positions are part-time and well-paid, with benefits including dental, medical, and an education stipend. On a part-time, as-available basis, reservists receive the same training, with the same equipment, as Regular Force members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Find out more on their Facebook page at facebook.com/SaskDragoons.